MacRumors

Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on Apple's 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro and 2020 MacBook Air on Amazon. With these deals you can get $199 off the notebooks, including the return of all-time low prices on both devices.

MacBook Air

Starting with the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, the 256GB model is on sale for the all-time low price of $799.99, down from $999.00. All three colors are available at this price, with delivery dates estimated for May 12 at the earliest.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This version of the MacBook Air sports a tapered design and does not have the updated chassis of the newer M2 MacBook Air models. It has the M1 chip and a 13-inch Retina display, and today's sale matches the previous all-time low price seen on Amazon for the computer.

MacBook Pro

Moving to the 256GB 13-inch MacBook Pro, this model is on sale for $1,099.99 on Amazon, down from $1,299.00. This is a return of the all-time low price on this MacBook Pro, and the first time we've seen this low of a price on the 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro since last year.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Secondly, the 512GB 13-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. This one is a solid second-best price on the MacBook Pro, and it's only available in Space Gray.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Apple plans to release an iPhone with a microLED display in the future, according to a report today from supply chain publication DigiTimes. This display technology would allow for higher brightness, decreased power consumption, improved contrast ratio, and other benefits compared to current iPhones with OLED displays.

The paywalled report claims the Apple Watch Ultra will be the first Apple device to switch to microLED, followed by the iPhone and iPad:

Starting with Apple Watch, Apple plans to further introduce microLED display to iPhone and iPad. Some sources from IT industry forecast that Apple Watch Ultra will no longer use existing OLED display by end-2024 or 2025 as it will be replaced by Apple's self-developed microLED display.

With the Apple Watch Ultra not expected to use microLED until 2025, the first iPhone to adopt the technology is likely still several years away from launching. All four iPhone 15 models coming later this year are expected to stick with OLED displays.

In the meantime, Apple is still completing its transition to OLED displays. The first Apple device with an OLED display was the original Apple Watch, followed by the iPhone X, and the first iPad and Mac models with OLED displays are rumored to launch next year. The transition to microLED will likely follow a similar smaller-to-larger device trajectory.

Anker today has a collection of discounts on Amazon, offering savings on cables, USB-C accessories, wall chargers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Many of these discounts will only run this week, so if you're interested be sure to place an order soon.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Most of these deals require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts at the checkout screen. There are multiple types of products on sale this time around, including Anker's SmartTrack line of Bluetooth trackers and the Eufy Security Smart Package Box at $199.99, down from $399.99.

Cables and Wall Chargers

• USB-C to USB-C Cable (6ft 2-Pack) - $10.99 with on-page coupon, down from $16.99
• 100W USB-C Power Adapter (2-Port) - $36.79 with on-page coupon, down from $45.99
• Nano 65W USB-C Charger (3-Port) - $38.41, down from $55.99
• 150W USB-C Charger (4-Port) - $93.49 with on-page coupon, down from $109.99

Hubs

• 7-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $45.99 with on-page coupon, down from $65.99
• 8-in-1 USB-C Adapter - $59.49, down from $69.99
• 11-in-1 USB-C Hub - $89.99, down from $99.99

Portable Battery

• PowerCore 24,000 mAh with Smart Digital Display - $119.99 with on-page coupon, down from $159.99

Bluetooth Speakers

• Soundcore Mini 3 - $31.99 with on-page coupon, down from $40.99
• Soundcore 3 - $35.99 with on-page coupon, down from $50.99
• Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - $125.99 with on-page coupon, down from $179.99
• Soundcore Rave Neo 2 - $129.99, down from $179.99
• Soundcore Rave Party 2 - $179.99, down from $229.99

Miscellaneous

• SmartTrack Link (1-Pack) - $13.99 for Prime members, down from $19.99
• SmartTrack Card - $16.99 for Prime members, down from $29.99
• SmartTrack Link (2-Pack) - $27.99 with on-page coupon, down from $35.99
• SmartTrack Link (4-Pack) - $54.99 with on-page coupon, down from $69.99
• Eufy Security Smart Package Box - $199.99, down from $399.99

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Shazam was updated today with support for Apple Music Classical on the iPhone, allowing the two apps to work together for classical music.

Launched in March, the Apple Music Classical app offers over five million classical music tracks, and is included with an Apple Music subscription.

The release notes for version 15.33 of the Shazam app:

You can now open classical songs from Shazam in the Apple Music Classical app. Simply Shazam or search for a classical song, tap the menu icon on the track page and select "Open in Classical."

Apple acquired Shazam in 2018 for a reported $400 million and has since integrated the music identification service across its software platforms.

The release candidate version of macOS Ventura 13.4 fixes a frustrating content filter bug that was introduced in an earlier version of the macOS Ventura 13.4 beta, so users who install the macOS Ventura 13.4 public release next week will not need to worry about networking issues.

Last week's fourth beta caused macOS Ventura 13.4 not to work with content filtering apps like Little Snitch and Radio Silence. After installing the update, some users on the MacRumors forums and on Twitter had problems with network connectivity, and it turned out that firewall apps were the cause.

Disabling content filtering apps fixed the problem, but Apple has addressed the overall issue and now content filter apps work with the macOS Ventura 13.4 update.

macOS Ventura 13.4 and iOS 16.5 will be released to the public next week.

Just under a month ahead of WWDC, Apple has started notifying winners of this year's Swift Student Challenge, with applicants able to check their status on Apple's website. The lucky winners receive exclusive WWDC 2023 outerwear, AirPods Pro, a customized pin set, and one year of membership in the Apple Developer Program.

WWDC 2023 will be held online from June 5 through June 9, with sessions and other content to be made available on Apple's website and in the Apple Developer app free of charge. There will also be a special in-person day at Apple Park on June 5 for randomly selected developers to watch the keynote, enjoy evening activities, and more.

The annual challenge tasks students with creating a Swift Playgrounds project, and Apple judges submissions based on technical ability and creativity.

Apple is working on new Beats Studio Pro headphones, according to code found in the macOS Ventura 13.4 release candidate.

The headphones appear to have an A2924 model number, which is different from the model numbers for the upcoming Beats Studio Buds+ earphones. The Beats Studio Pro name was found by @aaronp613.

Based on the name, the Beats Studio Pro will be a new version of the current Beats Studio3 headphones. The Beats Studio3 are several years old at this point, and there have been no new Beats-branded over-ear headphones launched since 2017.

Apple appears to be developing the Beats Studio Pro headphones in collaboration with Samuel Ross of A-Cold-Wall. The design looks to be largely identical to the Beats Studio3 headphones, but Apple will likely add internal improvements to justify the "Pro" moniker.

There could be an updated Apple-designed chip, as the Studio3 continue to use the old W1 chip, along with improved Active Noise Cancellation and the addition of a Transparency Mode. Apple also plans to add "Hey Siri" support, a feature that is not available in the current Studio3 headphones. The new Beats Studio Pro headphones will likely see a launch later in the year as new Beats often show up in iOS and macOS weeks or months ahead of launch.

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth betas. The release candidates represent the final version of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 that will be provided to the public.

Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option and toggling on the iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.5 adds a Sports tab in the Apple News app, making it easier to access sports-focused content. You can choose to follow your favorite teams to get updates on a regular basis. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
- Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow
- My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games
- Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
- Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple says that iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 will be released next week.

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 9.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software update coming two weeks after the launch of the fourth watchOS 9.5 beta. The RC represents the final version of watchOS 9.5 that will be provided to the public.

To install the watchOS 9.5 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.

Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.5 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ it is paired with.

watchOS 9.5 adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from the Software Update section of the Watch app on ‌iPhone‌. An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates.

The update also include bug fixes and the new Pride Celebration watch face that was announced earlier today.

Apple's Weather app for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac is down for some users, according to Apple's System Status page.

Apple says that the Weather app may be slow or unavailable for some users, and that the outage has been ongoing since 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

There have been reports of issues with the Weather app all day, though not all users are impacted. There was previously a major Weather outage in April that prevented the app from displaying data.

Apple today seeded the release candidate (RC) version of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth beta. The RC represents the final version of macOS Ventura 13.4 that will be provided to the public.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

According to Apple's release notes, the update adds a Sports feed in the sidebar of Apple News and it addresses several bugs, including one that would prevent the Mac Auto Unlock feature from working with the Apple Watch.

macOS Ventura 13.4 includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- Sports feed in the sidebar of Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow
- My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games
- Resolves an issue where Auto Unlock with Apple Watch does not log you into your Mac
- Fixes a Bluetooth issue where keyboards connect slowly to Mac after restarting
- Addresses a VoiceOver issue with navigating to landmarks on webpages
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

macOS 13.4 also adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from System Settings on the Mac, without the need to install a profile.

An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates, which means that it is no longer possible to use a developer profile not associated with a developer account to install the developer betas.

Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset could run the Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro software that Apple created for audio and video professionals, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today.

In a tweet, Gurman said that there's a "very real possibility" that the headset will eventually run Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Gurman's comment comes following Apple's announcement of new versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro designed for the iPad.

The ‌iPad‌ versions of the apps have been long-desired by content creators for video editing on the go, and Apple is finally making it happen. Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are set to be released on the iPad on May 23.

Gurman previously said that the headset would run ‌iPad‌ apps adapted to the headset, with thousands of existing ‌iPad‌ apps to also be available through the 3D interface of the device. Apple may need to tweak the ‌iPad‌ versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro to work on xrOS, the operating system that runs on the headset, but that could already be in the works.

Apple is expected to introduce the headset at 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote event, set to take place on June 5.

Apple plans to transition Macs and iPads to OLED displays over the next few years, but a new report out of Korea claims panel suppliers are holding back key investment in next-gen OLED production lines over rising concerns about slumping Mac sales.

Apple will launch its first OLED iPads next year and South Korean panel makers intend to use their existing Gen 6 OLED lines to cover Apple's 2024 supply needs. But for iPads and MacBooks after that, Samsung Display and LG Display plan to build Gen 8 production lines, which yield more OLED panels per substrate than Gen 6 lines and are more cost effective.

However, according to The Elec, the two panel makers have yet to place orders for key equipment needed to build the Gen 8 production lines, which take at least a year to complete.

The outlet's sources suggest the Korean panel maker's hesitancy to invest is directly linked to concerns over profitability. There is no precedent for OLED panels being used in MacBooks, therefore ambiguity remains over how much Apple will be willing to pay for the panels.

But there is now growing concern over just how many units Apple will order given the recent slump in MacBook sales. Apple in its recent quarterly earnings call reported a significant year-over-year decline in Mac revenue, falling from $10.4 billion to $7.2 billion. In the previous quarter, Mac revenue was also down to $7.7 billion compared to $10.9 billion in the year-ago quarter.

The decline follows a pattern amid a severe downturn in the global PC market, with reports indicating that Apple responded earlier in the year by requesting a temporary suspension in the production of Mac processors, and they only resumed at half of supplier TSMC's production capacity.

With OLED displays in MacBooks likely to only increase the sales price, display panel suppliers reportedly believe Apple will inevitably attempt to cut unit prices down.

Samsung in April said it plans to spend 4.1 trillion won ($4.1 billion) building Gen 8 OLED production lines up to 2026. With the Korean display maker facing demands from OLED machine suppliers to pay development fees on top of machine prices, and LG Display already in the red, both face difficult investment choices in the months ahead without guaranteed orders from Apple.

Apple reportedly plans to sequentially introduce new ‌iPad Pro and Mac models with OLED displays. Display analyst Ross Young said that he expects a ‌MacBook Air‌ with an OLED panel to launch as soon as 2024, which could also be the year Apple launches an OLED iPad Pro.

Samsung is expected to have a lasting role in supplying the OLED panels, contributing to the iPad Pro, ‌MacBook Air‌, and 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, although the Pro models are not expected to transition to OLED displays until 2026.

Amazon today has the second generation Apple Watch SE at a new all-time low price of $199.99, down from $249.00. This is for the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE in Small/Medium band size, and you will need to add the wearable to your cart in order to see the deal price.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get Starlight and Silver Aluminum at this best-ever price on Amazon, but stock is delayed. The earliest estimated delivery window begins around June 1-4. Although this is a long delay, with this steep of a discount it's worth locking in the deal today if you've been on the hunt for the 2022 Apple Watch SE.

Additionally, the 40mm cellular Apple Watch SE has hit $219.99 on Amazon, down from $299.00. This is another new record low price on the 2022 Apple Watch SE and it's only available in Midnight with an early June delivery estimate.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

General Motors (GM) has hired Mike Abbott, a former Apple executive responsible for the company's cloud services division, to lead a new software unit, just over a month after the automaker announced the controversial move to phase out Apple CarPlay on new vehicles (via CNBC).

After working at tech companies such as Twitter, Microsoft, and Palm, Apple hired Abbott in February 2018. He oversaw Apple's cloud infrastructure for services like iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime before leaving the company in March.

Abbott's role at GM will encompass several key functions, including information and digital technology, software-defined vehicle and operating systems, and the company's digital business.

He will report directly to GM CEO Mary Barra. In a statement, Barra said "Mike's experience as a founder and entrepreneur coupled with his proven track record creating and delivering some of the market's most compelling software-defined solutions for consumers and companies make him an excellent fit at GM."

In March, GM announced plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles starting this year, shifting to a built-in infotainment system co-developed with Google. The move is expected to help the automaker gather more data about how consumers drive, incentivize vehicle-related digital subscription services, and create recurring revenue opportunities. Abbott is said to play a key role in implementing this strategy.

Best Buy recently kicked off a new sale focused on wearables, including solid markdowns on products from Garmin, Fitbit, Oura, Samsung, Google, and more. While some of these deals will continue through the end of May, others end later this week.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

We've collected some of the highlights of the sale below, including as much as $70 off Samsung's Galaxy Watches, Fitbit's array of smartwatches, Google's Pixel Watches, Garmin's smartwatches, and the Oura ring wearables. Some of these deals will end this Sunday, May 14, so be sure to browse the sale soon.

Samsung

• 40mm BT Galaxy Watch5 - $219.99, down from $279.99
• 44mm BT Galaxy Watch5 - $249.99, down from $309.99
• 45mm BT Galaxy Watch5 Pro Titanium - $399.99, down from $449.99
• 45mm LTE Galaxy Watch5 Pro Titanium - $439.99, down from $499.99
• 40mm BT Galaxy Watch4 - $169.99, down from $199.99

Fitbit

• Luxe - $89.95, down from $129.95
• Charge 5 - $129.95, down from $149.95
• Versa 2 - $129.95, down from $149.95
• Versa 4 - $159.95, down from $199.95
• Sense 2 - $249.95, down from $299.95

Google

• 41mm Pixel Watch - $299.99, down from $349.99
• 41mm Pixel Watch (LTE) - $329.99, down from $399.99

Oura

• Oura Ring Gen3 Gold (Heritage) - $409.00, down $449.00
• Oura Ring Gen3 Gold (Horizon) - $459.00, down from $499.00
• Oura Ring Gen3 Rose Gold (Horizon) - $499.00, down from $549.00

Garmin

• Lily Sport - $149.99, down from $199.99
• 45mm Instinct 2 - $249.99, down from $349.99
• 43mm Venu 2 Plus - $399.99, down from $449.99

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

In a press release introducing a new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch today, Apple confirmed that iOS 16.5 and watchOS 9.5 will be released to the public next week. The software updates have been in beta testing since late March.

"The new Pride Celebration watch face and iPhone wallpaper will be available next week, and requires watchOS 9.5 and iOS 16.5," said Apple.

In addition to a new Pride Celebration wallpaper, iOS 16.5 includes just one small but useful change for the iPhone, a new Sports tab in the Apple News app. Overall, the update is a relatively minor one and comes just weeks ahead of Apple announcing iOS 17 at WWDC in June.

An overview of iOS 16.5 changes follows.

Pride Wallpaper

iOS 16.5 will include a new Pride Celebration wallpaper designed to match the new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch.

Sports Tab in Apple News

Apple has added a Sports tab to the News app on iOS 16.5, giving you easy access to news, scores, and schedules for your favorite teams and leagues. This information was previously available in the Today tab, but it is now featured more prominently as Apple continues to push deeper into sports content across its services.

iOS 16.5 Release Notes

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
- Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow
- My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games
- Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
- Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices